Requirements for the Majors and Minor in Chemistry (CHE)

Requirements for the Major (Bachelor of Science Degree)

All of the courses used to fulfill the requirements of the major (CHE, MAT, PHY, BIO, etc.) must be passed with a grade of C or higher, with the exception of three courses, for which the grade may be C-. No transferred course with a grade lower than C may be used to fulfill any major requirement.

Each student majoring in Chemistry must use CHE 303, CHE 304, or CHE 384 to satisfy the writing requirement for the Chemistry major (a satisfactory grade is required). These courses require several papers which are evaluated for cogency, clarity, and mechanics, and satisfy the university Stony Brook Curriculum WRTD learning objective.

Notes:

1. Alternate Mathematics SequencesThe following alternate sequences may be substituted for major requirements or prerequisites: MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127 or MAT 141, MAT 142 or MAT 171 or AMS 151, AMS 161 for MAT 131, MAT 132; MAT 203 for AMS 210 or MAT 211. MAT 203 may be replaced by AMS 261 and MAT 303 may be replaced by AMS 261. The Chemical Physics option requires two math courses in addition to Calculus I and II. Equivalency for MAT courses as indicated by earning the appropriate score on a placement examination will be accepted as fulfillment of the requirement without the necessity of substituting other credits.

6. Transfer CreditAt least 12 credits of upper-division work in chemistry must be taken at Stony Brook; these must be taken in at least two of the major subdisciplines (inorganic, physical, and organic chemistry).

7. The American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training has set nationally recognized standards for professional preparation in chemistry. The Chemistry faculty recommends that students intending to pursue careers in the chemical sciences secure ACS certification along with their Bachelor of Science degree.

To obtain ACS certification, students who elect the chemical science option must complete CHE 346/461 or BIO 361. Students who elect the biological chemistry option must complete one additional elective in chemistry or a related field and the laboratories CHE 304, CHE 357, and CHE 495-496. Students who elect the chemical physics or the marine and atmospheric chemistry option must complete CHE 346/461 and the laboratories CHE 384 and CHE 495-496. Students who elect the environmental chemistry option must complete CHE 346/461 and CHE 495-496.

8. Additional Areas of StudyBecause knowledge of computer programming is of great value to all chemists, a course in computer programming is recommended.

Requirements for the Major (Bachelor of Arts Degree)

All of the courses used to fulfill the requirements of the major (CHE, MAT, ESG, PHY, etc.) must be passed with a grade of C or higher, with the exception of three courses, for which the grade may be C-. No transferred course with a grade lower than C may be used to fulfill any major requirement.

Each student majoring in Chemistry must use CHE 303, CHE 304, or CHE 384 to satisfy the writing requirement for the Chemistry major (a satisfactory grade is required). These courses require several papers which are evaluated for cogency, clarity, and mechanics, and satisfy the university Stony Brook Curriculum WRTD learning objective.

Notes:

1. Alternate Mathematics SequencesThe following alternate sequences may be substituted for major requirements or prerequisites: MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127 or MAT 141, MAT 142 or MAT 171 or AMS 151, AMS 161 for MAT 131, MAT 132; MAT 203 for AMS 210 or MAT 211. Equivalency for MAT courses as indicated by earning the appropriate score on a placement examination will be accepted as fulfillment of the requirement without the necessity of substituting other credits.

3. Transfer CreditAt least 12 credits of upper-division work in chemistry must be taken at Stony Brook; these must be taken in at least two of the major subdisciplines (inorganic, physical, and organic chemistry).

Honors Program

Students who have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in science and mathematics through the junior year are eligible for departmental honors in chemistry. An additional requirement for honors is the submission of a senior thesis based on research performed during the senior year. The student will be given an oral examination in May by his or her research supervisor and the undergraduate research committee. The awarding of honors requires the recommendation of this committee and constitutes recognition of superior performance in research and scholarly endeavors. If the student has also achieved a 3.40 cumulative grade point average in chemistry courses taken in the senior year, honors will be conferred.

Chemistry Secondary Teacher Education Program

See the Education and Teacher Certifica­tion entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs.

Requirements for the Minor

The Chemistry minor requires 18-22 credits, which include a General Chemistry Lecture sequence, a General Chemistry Laboratory sequence, plus 12 credits of CHE 300-level courses or research. A minimum of 9 upper division CHE credits must be earned in courses not used towards the student's major. All courses for the minor must be completed for a letter grade of C or better or S. All students must complete a minimum of 8 upper division credits in 300-level or chemistry research courses in residency at Stony Brook in order to qualify for the minor. All courses for the minor must be completed for a letter grade of C or better or S. All students must complete a minimum of 8 upper division credits in 300-level chemistry or chemistry research courses in residency at Stony Brook.

C. 12 credits of CHE 300-level courses or CHE research (CHE 487, CHE 495-496)Special restriction: A minimum of 9 upper division CHE credits must be earned in courses not required for the student's major.

Bachelor of Science Degree/Master of Science Degree Program

A student interested in this research-intensive graduate program, intended to prepare students for professional employ­ment in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, may apply for admission at the end of the junior year. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the end of the fourth year and a Master of Science in Chemistry at the end of the fifth year. During the senior year, the student is expected to take two 500-level CHE courses and begin research in the senior research sequence. In the fifth year, the student works full-time on research, earning 24 credits in CHE 599.